What I am looking for in responses, comments, and replies.

 

	Specificity: Perhaps I have been unable to escape my graduate training in new criticism (formalism) many years ago, but a response that skillfully uses the words of a piece of literature to support assertions seems more credible and engaging than one that makes more general reference to the text. When you include a quoted phrase follow it with a parenthetical page reference. Of course, this is more useful if we are all using the same editions.
	Organization: Short pieces of writing, such as the 250-word responses that you will write in this class, may not require the complex structure of a 10-page paper, but a clear focus is critical. One way to help yourself discover your focus and to help your readers see it, is to employ thesis statements and topic sentences.
	Energy: We are fortunate to be studying subject matter that is entertaining. Your responses should reflect your interaction with the texts. Having fun with the writing that you do in this course is permitted and encouraged.
	Personality: Although I expect you to write effectively and carefully, I do not require that all of your responses maintain an aloof objectivity. Any discussion of literature is also a discussion of ourselves as well.
	Involvement: I hope that you will read other students' responses and reply to some of them. Your replies will be part of the work that I consider when determining your grade each week.

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